Forehand loop & table distance

Hi guys,

I've been training recently with a lot more skilled player than me.

He was able to strike slow & spiny balls in consistency of about 20 in a row :)

He explained to me that my loop is fast topspin, hit at the top of the ball bounce.

He also told that in order to hit slower more controlled, but spiny one, I need to let the ball fall at the table height and consequently to go away from table, at least 1 meter in my case. I have a couple of questions about this:

1. Is getting away from table for having spiny loop a good practice (it is quite noticeable by opponent)?

2. I believe the answer to 1. is 'yes', but how to open an unexpected attack with that practice and how to combine top spin with heavy loop in the game?

Thank you!

Hi Ivan,

It is easier to move back for the slower topspin because the ball is slower and easier to control back with high topspin.

To be able to make both the topspin and the slower topspin, you need to move in and out from the table and take the ball earlier and later.  The movement to go in and out is still a small shuffle step if you are moving bigger distances or just adjust your right leg to the distance of the ball from the table if the difference isn't too big.